i just got my first car about a week ago 1990 honda crx and its getting plates and all that tomorrow but the negative is driveing a 5 speed. i kinda dont know how. well i do but i dont get the time stuff.

so basicly i need to know when you really need to shift. what rpm or how often? and how to down shift? can someone help please or explain?

oh its also got a stage 2 clutch? upgraded i believe. so if that helps

i know someone will say have someone teach you but my mom left when i was young and my dad passed away last year from a stroke and i live with my grandma who cant drive.

sorry if this seems long and any help would be nice

thanks

 

it's not so hard. just a fair warning, you WILL stall out at first. people might gawk or look at you funny if you do, but just keep your cool. EVERYONE stalls at first. if they say otherwise, they're lying.

for putting the car into first gear from a stop:

the first suggestion i could give is IF your crx (if it's an si) has a tachometer just keep your eyes on the rpms at first. try to keep the rpms around 1500-ish or so (between 1k and 2k on the tach) while you're trying to do that, SLOWLY let out the clutch. if you let it out too fast, you'll either stall out, give the car a seizure , or do a mad burn out (if you're giving it too much gas). just practice at it.

secondly, if your rex doesn't have a tach, just listen to the advice above but you'll have to LISTEN to the engine as you're putting it into first gear.

shifting while driving:

while you're driving along, the "proper" time to shift from 1st to 2nd gear would be ~20mph, 2nd to 3rd = ~30mph, 3rd to 4th = ~40mph, 4th to 5th = ~55mph
to be honest, that would be the best time to shift for more of a fuel economy/daily driving approach. you could push the envelope though when it comes to shifting, i.e. waiting longer to shift. but i'd recommend doing that when you get more comfortable with driving a stick in general

to downshift:

ok, the same basic rules apply as shifting while driving, only reversed (like if you're in 5th gear, but going 35mph...which is totally possible, it just takes a while to accelerate...put it in 3rd gear if you need to accelerate or 4th to cruise easier)

to help out with slowing down, people like to downshift. downshifting helps to reduce the amount of force your brakes need and allows the engine itself to aid in slowing down. you still need to use your brakes...an example, if you're cruising at like 60mph and approaching a stop sign, red light, etc. use your brakes, put the car in 3rd gear and SLOWLY let off the clutch without completely letting off. you'll be able to feel that the car wants to slow down quicker the more you let off the clutch. then put the car into 2nd gear around 30 mph and it will help you slow down faster.

i hope i've been of some help and good luck to you
if anyone else can think of some advice that i left out, feel free to add.

oh, welcome to honda-tech!

 

thanks man...nice write up

and thanks for the welcome

oh and another ? is is it like the same or about the same shifting on all hondas?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by seeaclearerskyxx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
if anyone else can think of some advice that i left out, feel free to add.

oh, welcome to honda-tech! </TD></TR></TABLE>

while we're on the topic of advice your parents are supposed to give you. i have been starting to notice boys looking at me differently....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YasRex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">while we're on the topic of advice your parents are supposed to give you. i have been starting to notice boys looking at me differently....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Read the OP, jackass.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YasRex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

while we're on the topic of advice your parents are supposed to give you. i have been starting to notice boys looking at me differently....</TD></TR></TABLE>

you're an *******.

great attempt at being funny...too bad it wasn't. oh ****, your post count is growing. now you'll actually look like you know something!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91honda08 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks man...nice write up

and thanks for the welcome

oh and another ? is is it like the same or about the same shifting on all hondas?</TD></TR></TABLE>

you're welcome!

for the most part, yes.

if you have anymore questions or anything, use the search button. it's located at the top of ANY thread you browse on here. it will save you from a lot of flaming by nerdy weiner kids who have nothing better to do than read posts and make fun of people trying to learn about their cars.

 

This is excellent advice for starting out.
Master 1st gear or starting from stops those will be your enemy at first everything else you will learn on the fly.

Practice starting from a stop on a incline slope when you feel a little more comfortable. Those were the worst when I started driving a stick at the age of 12.
Once you can start from a stop on a good slope you will feel comfortable with alot.

Sorry to hear about your Fam and welcome to the Honda scene.

 

yeah use these previous methods it'll pay off

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by YasRex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

while we're on the topic of advice your parents are supposed to give you. i have been starting to notice boys looking at me differently....</TD></TR></TABLE>

if i ever met you id cut your nuts off

im about to drive in about 2 hours, and now that ive read that a few times i think ill kick that cars ***. the person i bought the car from explained the stage 2 clutch, they sayed it will grab beter makeing for way better accelaration. i was just going to treat this car like any other car but i love this car and this site.

may i also mention i am a female

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91honda08 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im about to drive in about 2 hours, and now that ive read that a few times i think ill kick that cars ***.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I like your attitude. No fear.

All it takes is a little practice. After 3 days, it'll be like second nature to you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91honda08 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

if i ever met you id cut your nuts off

im about to drive in about 2 hours, and now that ive read that a few times i think ill kick that cars ***. the person i bought the car from explained the stage 2 clutch, they sayed it will grab beter makeing for way better accelaration. i was just going to treat this car like any other car but i love this car and this site.

may i also mention i am a female</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good for you getting the car you want as your first.Take car of your baby and your baby will take care of you.And just my two cents, please stay true to your roots and away from the AutoZone "Performance"isle......PLEASE
But over all have fun

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I like your attitude. No fear.

All it takes is a little practice. After 3 days, it'll be like second nature to you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

very true and it'll be like riding a bike. you never forget how.

let us know how it goes!

 

Thought I'd throw up a link that helped me when I was learning to drive a manual. Had two firebirds that I always worked on but never knew how to drive a standard. Being a bit embarassed to ask any of my friends, I turned to the internet. Read this thing over and over again and then just kept practicing for a weekend. Good luck with it!

http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by seeaclearerskyxx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">very true and it'll be like riding a bike. you never forget how.

let us know how it goes!</TD></TR></TABLE>


you guys are the greatest support group honda-tech has ever had. give me a hug, bob